For now, i only retrace an Epoch TV Vader. They are many pins not connected (almost 50%) and i haven't tried those on an oscilloscope to see what's they are doing (or not). The chip called the C626C, done also by NEC, is an 18-pins TV Video Modulator which takes some outputs of the D774C and modulates it with an RF output to either Channel 1 or 2.
But...this C626C is in fact a clone of the National Semiconductor LM1889N! The only difference is that the C626C only needs 6-9 Volts instead of 12-15 Volts like on the LM1889. So here's the pinout of the uPD774C:
Since the C626C is like the LM1889, you could convert with ease to an Audio/CompositeVideo output (Sound is pin #19) or even S-Video (Y and C or Luma and Chroma) or if you dare try but the result would be awesome (yup...big pixels on screen...not the movie mind you...lol!) is to output to R-Y, B-Y and Chroma+Luma (aka Component Video) but you would need to amplify those outputs because those signals are too weak to be displayed.
I haven't checked all the other Epoch Cassette Vision cartridges i have (i'm only missing #11 and 12) if the pinouts would match or not. At least, this is a step in the right direction for future emulation.
UPDATE: Since i was missing two pins to be identified, that was bugging me so i decided after i posted this, to finish the pinouts and i'm very glad that i did because i completely screwed-up the pinouts by inverting them (42 was 1 and so forth). So this is the correct pinouts of the D774C with also the missing sound pin, and if you need the CLOCK frequency, it is 3,58MHz. Now i need to send this to plgDavid pronto!
--- Sly DC ---
Can these tv aders be fixed? I have two but only one turns on nd its a glitchy mess.
ReplyDeleteHi and sorry for the very late reply. The TV Vader consoles can be repaired but if the dedicated chip (D774C) is broken or damaged, then you will need another chip which can be found in any Battle Vader cartridge.
DeleteCan you send me a picture screenshot of the unit which has a glitchy mess ? This would be useful to try to guess where is the problem in the circuit. :)
the PCB says 'TV vader & Yosaku', I wonder if this means the board was designed for both or the chip contains both games. now i'm curious.
ReplyDeleteThat's how it looks.
DeleteI have Yosaku cartridge and it has identical markings on the PCB, same layout, everything is identical apart from the chip itself (and the round, flat ceramic capacitor at C04 which is missing on above photo, I guess they've just decided they can get away with not installing it).
Indeed! And maybe if we look closer on other cartridge boards, they may be other using the same layout except for Baseball and Big Sports 12 as they use either a light gun, paddles or the "course" switch.
ReplyDelete